I n the early 1900's, Charles L. Dennis opened our funeral home in Bridgeport and began serving the Bridgeport area and beyond with the best professional service that he was able to provide. In later years, his children and grandchildren came into the business and the business was later named the Dennis & D'Arcy Funeral Home.

In 1937, Charles built a state of art building in Stratford; our funeral home occupies this same building today. With the retirement of Charles Dennis and William D'Arcy in 1985, the Albert W. Spear Family operated the company until the retirement and death of members of their family in 2002.

At that time, Robert A. Kelemen Sr., his wife Grace, and his son Shawn M. Kelemen of Stratford acquired the property and business. The Kelemen Family continues to operate the business to this day. Robert is a longtime Stratford resident and has been in the funeral business since 1966. He is owner and operator of the Abriola & Kelemen Funeral Homes of Bridgeport and Stratford and has been a volunteer with many organizations and church programs in Stratford and Bridgeport.

A lifelong Stratford resident, Shawn Kelemen is a 1994 graduate of Bunnell High School and also a graduate of the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City. Shawn came to join his father in the family business after completing his degree in funeral service; Shawn is also active in many local organizations and church programs. He lives in Stratford with his wife Jennifer and their 2 sons, Michael Joseph and Aidan Robert.

Today, we continue to serve you in the tradition as no other funeral home can, with sincerity and gentle care. As a family, we have grown up with the ideals of helping you and your family at your greatest time of need, and our family will continue to serve for generations to come, with a comfortable, homelike atmosphere and the best personal and professional services possible.